# anonymity in moos

asb@media.mit.edu (asb@media.mit.edu)
Sun, 14 Apr 1996 14:18:57 PDT

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    Jackie, my 2 cents:

    We need lots of different kinds of communities, each with its own policy
    on anonymity, and many other issues.  That way people can choose the kind
    of community best suited to their needs.

    I founded two MOOs.  On MediaMOO, everyone is identified.  I believe this
    contributes to the professional atmosphere.  On MOOSE Crossing, a learning
    environment for kids, everyone is anonymous.  In this case, anonymity is an
    important safety issue.  You asked if it was possible to have an anonymous MOO
    "taken seriously".  Absolutely.  People are (so far, knock on wood!) extremely
    nice on MOOSE, and yes I think the community is taken seriously.  It helps
    that new members have to agree to a code of conduct (sending a signed form in
    via snail-mail), and that adults have to write a short application essay.
    There are lots of different techniques to give a community a desired
    character.  I wrote about this in:
    http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/t/techreview/www/articles/jan96/Bruckman.html
    Comments welcome.

    -- Amy